Monday, December 2, 2013

Whiskey Gifts

'Tis the season for holiday gifts (well mostly Christmas because someone made Chanukah start in November this year, but hey, there are still a few days left). Here, then, are my whiskey gift suggestions.

One of my favorite new whiskeys this year was the George Dickel 14 year old from Park Avenue Liquors. The new Dickel retailer exclusives are a series of 9 and 14 year old bourbons selected by specific retailers. The first Park Avenue release that I reviewed is sold out but they have a new one in stock ($90), and The Party Source also has good versions ($46 for the 9yo and $66 for the 14 yo, though they no longer ship out of Kentucky). I love the dry, minerally profile of Dickel, and these more aged expressions have all of that along with a bit more oak that you'd expect from an older Dickel.

On the rye front, there wasn't as much action this year, but the new Angel's Envy Rye, finished in rum casks, is a sweeter take on MGP distilled rye, though it's a bit pricey at around $70.

If you're looking to avoid all the smoke, I really enjoyed the Mortlach 1990 bottled for Binny's ($100), a sherry cask aged malt that tastes more like a bourbon cask malt.

Canadian Whisky

I seldom recommend Canadian Whiskies during my gift posts, but I'm very fond of the new Lot 40 Canadian Rye ($60) that's just showing up on American shelves. It's got some nice rye spice but it's not as aggressive as the WhistlePig/Masterson's/Jefferson's Canadian Ryes. It's one of the best Canadian Whiskies I've had.

Whiskey Books

This was a great year for whiskey books. For anyone interested in bourbon, rye or American craft whiskey, Clay Risen's American Whiskey Bourbon & Rye is a must have. For those with a historical interest, Michael Veach's Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey: An American History is a great survey course on bourbon history. I haven't read it yet, but I have heard very good things about Fred Minnick's Whiskey Women: The Untold Story of How Women Saved Bourbon, Scotch and Irish Whiskey. And for those looking for more of a story, there's Rob Gard's engaging memoir Distilling Rob: Manly Lies and Whisky Truths. So drink, but read too.

I can vouch for Sku's suggestion on the 4 Roses Single Barrel. He turned me on to this a few months ago and I got 2 bottles one for me and 1 for my brother in law. A very, very good buy and even better Bourbon.